Recently, the Europen Handball Federation (EHF) released a statement stating the bike shorts worn by Norway’s beach women handball team during the European championship match against Spain in Bulgaria were not as per the Athlete Uniform Regulations and therefore, the team was fined 150 euros per player. However, later many people came forward and opposed this decision stating it is completely ridiculous. In this context, the American Pop artist, Pink has come forward and has volunteered to pay the penalty.
The singer took over her Twitter account, “@Pink” and stated that she is extremely proud of the Norwegian female beach handball team. Pink continued to write, that she is with them and protest the extreme inviting rules about their unifrom. The singer further stated that it should be the EHF that should be penalised for prejudice and toxic masculinity.
The decision of EHF has definitely gained the attention or to be precise, the conclusion of EHF has been deeply probed by the Norwegian Minister of Culture, Sports and Equality, Abid Qayyum Raja, who called it on his Twitter handle as ‘utterly ridiculous, stating the sporting federation surely needs to learn about equality. Raja acknowledged and appreciated what Pink did for the team.
Moreover, in response to the decision made by EHF, he has sent a letter to all the sports ministers of Norway for a joint declaration to support the women of Norway. In addition to this, the Norway women’s beach handball team has also come forward, acknowledging all the supports from the fans, Pink, Minister Raja and others. The team took over their Instagram handle and thanked everyone for all their support and stated that they would continue to fight for equality in sport.
One of the team members of NBWH, named, Thea Granlund stated in a post that they have shown the whole world that playing beach handball with bike shorts is certainly possible. Meanwhile, another player named, Martine Welfler stated that this is a significant fight for equality in sports and she is extremely proud to be a part of it. However, after all these, the European Handball Federation was still seen justifying their decision to fine the team, stating that the negative responses to the fine were based solely on the disinformation on the procedure.
EHF further stated the issue of female uniforms on beach handball was scheduled to be discussed in August 2021, however, prior to it, the team went advancing with their decision to wear shorts. However, according to one of the online statements, the matter related to the issue with female uniforms in handball has alaredy been discussed at the EHF Congress in April 2021 upon a motion of the NHF (Norwegian Handball Federation).
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